dysfunction

In a deliberate “show of force,” federal and local police forces raided a political meeting in Texas, fingerprinting and photographing all attendees as well as confiscating all cell phones and personal recording devices.

Members of the Republic of Texas, a secession movement dedicated to restoring Texas as an independent constitutional republic, had gathered Feb. 14 in a Bryan, Texas, meeting hall along with public onlookers. They were debating issues of currency, international relations and celebrating the birthday of one of their oldest members. The group, which describes itself as “congenial and unimposing,” maintains a small working government, including official currency, congress and courts.

According to MySanAntonio.com: “Minutes into the meeting a man among the onlookers stood and moved to open the hall door, letting in an armed and armored force of the Bryan Police Department, the Brazos County Sheriff’s Office, the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office, agents of the Texas district attorney, the Texas Rangers and the FBI.

“In the end, at least 20 officers corralled, searched and fingerprinted all 60 meeting attendees, before seizing all cellphones and recording equipment in a Valentine’s Day 2015 raid on the Texas separatist group.”MORE

I see no indication of secret groups fomenting armed revolution here, just concerned folks getting together to discuss ‘possibilities’. If there were any indication of insurrection, I’m certain the authorities would have made arrests. Instead of the authorities conducted a wholesale violation of the rights of free citizens, and theft of their property.

Gee, I wonder why they would want to separate from such a rights-honoring regime? (sarcasm font)

SO, we are ‘free’ to choose our own direction and destiny? Or not? Or to be ineffectual whack-jobs?

I oft wondered about the American fetish for the love of team sports – especially baseball, football and basketball. It’s been explained to me that it has to do with civic pride. And, of course, friendly bets around the water cooler.

Or the bookie.

Marx says religion is the opiate of the masses. In this country, the opiate is also sports! I guess it stops folks from discussing religion and politics(?)

MY passion is the ability to live free. To make my own choices. To not be compelled to give to others through the power and force of government. If I choose to do so, that’s one thing. At the point of a gun, that’s another.

The President of The United States was too busy to march with the 40,000+ against terrorism in Paris, but…

He rushed off the funeral of the head of state of Saudi Arabia…

WTF?

Please fill in the blanks for me.

Popular culture/media contends:

The President is not Muslim, nor is any President subservient to any foreign power or potentate.

¿Que?

Reportedly, we can obtain fossil fuels from Canada, Alaska, off our own shores (if the laws allowed it – but we allow Brazil to drill there!), but we must continue to go to a dicey part of the World and suck-up to ‘allies’ who support Wahhabism (Most of the guys did 9/11 were Saudi Wahhabis) to get their oil!

So, that tired meme about cops not having a quota of summonses (“I can write as many as I want!”) has been laid to rest in NYC. Quantity, not Quality seems to be the order of the day.

There was a time, when law enforcement was about enforcing the law, NOT generating revenue or creating numbers to justify budgets. Not unlike news organizations pandering to bring in an audience for the advertisers, instead of just reporting the news. (If it bleeds, it leads!)

I’m a capitalist. I’m all about the profit motive. Free enterprise. But some people need to focus on their duty, not their dollar!

Why Britain is so screwed: they don’t even trust the Royal Guard with loaded weapons…

‘Where do we draw the line? Do you allow these soldiers to be armed? I think that could cause a greater problem.…These Guardsmen carry rifles equipped with bayonets but as a rule their rifles are not loaded with live ammunition. The Guardsmen may carry up to six rounds in a belt pouch and may load their rifles in event of a terrorist attack, but that would take valuable time.
Pardon my dropping into bad language:
The elite Guards, chosen from the very best, are allowed SIX FUCKING ROUNDS, and they’re not allowed to have them in the magazine, oh no. Because troops chosen from the best can’t be trusted to be armed when guarding the palace…

And one of his post commenters replied:

Bob said…Same reason that the Secret Service routinely orders soldiers and Marines disarmed when the President visits an armed camp overseas (in Iraq and Afghanistan, for example): they fundamentally distrust even their own people. They believe that one of them will go berserk and kill elites. And, judging it strictly on cases of green-on-blue violence – – Afghan Army “allies” that suddenly go Jihadi and start killing Americans – – they are right to do so.

(end)

It was reported one reason so many of the White House interlopers were able to get as far as they did (last year) were the standing orders regarding those inside was they were not to possess loaded firearms.

If that is the case, how stupid are we to emulate our British cousins? Whether or not we agree with the demeanor or policies of any particular White House resident should have no bearing on how efficient the protectors of the Seat of Government are.

Talk about setting us up for failure – from the top down. The line troops to those tasked with protection of the Executive.

And all those regular folks at military installations, worldwide. Largely unarmed.

And don’t even get me started about the Fort Hood ‘workplace violence’.

Apparently, the message is getting out as the company that have made these cameras are slowly exiting the business.

With Redflex losing money in North America, its Australian parent company recently instructed him to “de-risk the business” by diversifying into electronic toll-taking and traffic management. Nonetheless Mr. Saunders remains keen to rescue the reputation of photo enforcement, even if that seems like a Hail Mary at this point. . . .

My ex lived in Philly for about 10 years, and they had a government contractor maintaining the traffic signals so poorly that both turned green. And her new car was totaled.

What I write and post (or borrow steal and post) is entirely up to me. I write about my experience with firearms, libertarian politics, government intrusion on our rights and my family and friends.

I’m quite proud that anyone bothers to stop by, and the fact I’ve followers and readers all over still astounds me. A woman in Pakistan and another in India, and many military personnel have read here.

Thank you again for stopping by!

Now to the oligarchic part. I trust in a small cadre of regular readers opinions. Not just the occasional comment on some random post, but I respect their judgement. Some have even become friends and counselors off blog, much to my surprise and pleasure.

I recently received a follower request from Steven D. Jennings of Stone City Blog Network. This is a group of correspondents and bloggers doing so from prison.

Now, I don’t begrudge prison populations from trying to better themselves, nor do I pretend to understand what it must be like ‘inside’. And prison populations have increased something like ten-fold over the past 40 years, largely due to ‘victimless’ crimes like personal marijuana use. Mr. Jennings admittedly is doing 43 years for multiple assaults. NOT a victimless crime.

The question is, should I allow him and network access, knowing that recidivism is a very real concern, and that many behind bars crave information they might use, like firearms training and escaping restraints – both addressed multiple times in this blog? (One of my previous posts viewed recently was how to get out of zip ties! Coincidence?)

What do YOU think?

I want to be ‘fair’, but I don’t want political correctness to mar an otherwise positive blog experience. And, I suspect some folks who deserve to be incarcerated, but are not, read the Internet for such information, regardless. So this is probably moot.

(I know I said at the outset that I wouldn’t use this weblog for therapy, but, hell, it’s my blog, so here goes…)

Holidayssuck.

Why? Not only do I not have any funds to get neat presents for friends and family, but, I’ve no one with whom to share the non-materialistic parts of the holidays. One terrific couple I know gifted me with a cool assortment of cheeses and beers (including Lindeman’s raspberry ale!), and all I could give them in response was a small bag of garlic goldfish.

Hardly an even trade.

I love my sister and her kids, and her kid’s kids dearly, but going to a family celebration alone with certain people in absentia is always painful.

Now it’s the downhill slide from the New Year, to Molly’s birthday, to the anniversary of the accident, in March.

We’re told the best way to get out of this kind of funk is to create a gratitude list. So here goes…

I’ve a roof over my head, and a working car. Thanks to my friends! I’m on Medicare. I’ve disability benefits, which, while in no way am I rich, I can buy food, gas, and pay rent. I’ve a select group of friends, both locally and on the Internet, who help out whenever they can. Many of these friends have gone above and beyond – for years – when I am unable to give back in kind.

This must mean something.

I’m disabling comments for this post. Because, in lieu of giving me an Internet “there-there”, or a virtual hug (or a kick in the pants), please stop for a moment and create your own gratitude list.

I remember my Father ranting about the dearth of customer service when I was a teenager – and that was in the 60’s.

Back then a guy in a uniform (or at least a uniform shirt) filled your tank, checked your oil, and cleaned your windshield. And no tip was asked or expected. Now, IF there’s a monitor/cashier at the self-service gas station behind the bulletproof glass, it’s an effort to get them to look up from their graphic novel to take your card for purchase.

And waiters/waitresses? One would think when they are first being trained, they would be instructed that the more courteous and efficient they are, the better tip they will receive. But most these days are barely capable in getting your food to you at all. Need extra napkins or a refill on that beverage? Good luck with that.

And getting the order correct in the first place? Fuggedaboutit!

Retail stores? Just try to find someone who has any idea where stock might be, or even be able to direct you to it.

Call centers? Pshaw.

And we who chat regarding firearms on the Internet are familiar with H & K’s (in)famous lack of customer service.

One word. OBAMACARE. And government services in general.

And, while I’m on the subject – do any of these aforementioned folks speak American English? This assumes I don’t have to migrate through a computer-generated menu prompt resembling a RPG in Urdu to get to a human.

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The Four Rules

1. ALL GUNS ARE ALWAYS LOADED.

2. NEVER POINT YOUR MUZZLE AT SOMETHING YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO DESTROY.

3. KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL YOUR SIGHTS ARE ON THE TARGET AND YOU ARE READY TO SHOOT.

4. KNOW YOUR TARGET AND WHAT'S BEYOND.

Certified EVIL!

FEAR

"I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain."
- Bene Gesserit, from Frank Herbert's Dune

Penn Jillette

“F**k Civility. Hyperbole, passion, and metaphor are beautiful parts of rhetoric. The marketplace of ideas cannot be toned down for the insane.” - Penn Jillette

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I'm currently on disability, unable to work, and receive marginal benefits. I've been advised by SSDI I may receive some additional income. Based on their statements, I'm adding a bleg to this blog.
Effective 03/06/2012.
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